Christopher Ladner

President

Christopher C. Ladner is a second generation Maine Licensed Funeral Director and managing director at the Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick.   He is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, as well as having earned a B.A. from Colgate University and a M.A.L.S from Wesleyan University, CT.   He promotes and supports both youth athletics and the performing arts in his community.  Christopher and his wife, Ann, gratefully share their lives in Brunswick with their five daughters and several pets.

Adam Walker

President Elect

Adam R. Walker, a Portland resident and Funeral Director is owner of Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home.   He has over 15 years experience in the funeral industry.  Adam has a genuine desire to serve each family with the highest consistent level of service excellence that Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Homes are known for. He is a naturally empathetic and understanding individual and is dedicated to providing compassionate care to families during what may be the worst time of their life. Adam recognizes the importance of active and positive community involvement. As such, he is an active member of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce and he sits on the Board of Directors for Hospice of Southern Maine and is a former board member of The Center for Grieving Children. In addition, he and his staff proudly support several community events, programs and organizations. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, especially his wife, Caitlin, and their beloved dog, Newbie.

Michael Martel

Immediate Past President

Michael R. Martel is a Maine Licensed Funeral Director.  He has been in our profession since 1992.  Currently he is a Market Director for SCI / Dignity Memorial, a position he's held since 2002.  As the Director of SCI's Northeast Territory, Michael manages operations in ME, NH, VT, NY and PA, including 64 funeral homes, 4 cemeteries, 3 ambulances, 1 monument company, and 1 crematory.  Michael is a graduate of New England Institute.  He also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maine in Orono.   Michael is a board member of the Foundation Board for the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, in Lewiston/Auburn.  He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.  He coaches youth soccer, YMCA basketball, and Auburn Suburban Little league.  He also is a member of the ICCFA.   Michael, his wife Jennifer, and his 3 children live in Auburn.

James Lynch, CFSP

Secretary

Jim is a 1977 graduate of St. Joseph's College in Standish and a 1982 graduate of the Centennial Class of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Ohio..Jim is a life member of the Academy of Funeral Service and has earned the distinction of being named a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner annually since 1990.

After his education, he joined the Bibber Memorial Chapel in Kennebunk in 1982.. It was 1983 as a newly licensed funeral director Jim became a Privileged Member of MFDA as an employee with the Bibber Family who financially supported his membership after his year as a Privileged member until Jim purchased the Pinette Funeral Home in Lewiston with his brother, Kevin from a former NFDA and MFDA past President Raoul Pinette in 1986 who inspired him to be active within MFDA leadership. Jim began his service to MFDA in 1987 serving on it's Board before being elected Secretary in 1989 and just recently elected Treasurer in 2018. 

Jim resides in Auburn with his wife, Jennifer and together they have two adult children, Tom of Brookline, MA., and Briana of Portland.  

Lisa Pate

Treasurer

Lisa Pate became a Licensed Director with the State of Maine in 2017. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fine Mortuary College and received Dodge Corporation's Restorative Art Award.   Lisa also graduated from Bentley College in 1987 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems and an Associate’s Degree in Management.  After college, Lisa worked at IDEXX Laboratories in Westbrook as a Human Resource Information Systems Analyst, then left to work part-time at Saco Valley Credit Union for over 16 years in order to raise her children. 

Lisa is an active member of the Saco community including:

• Saco Bay Rotary Club - Member
• Buxton Garden Club - Member/Vice President
  

She lives in Saco with her husband, Jim and their children, Jonathan and Katherine.

Brian Coffta

At Large

Brian and his wife Darcy grew up in Western New York and relocated to Maine over 23 years ago and

now call Maine home. For over 10 years he worked for local independent funeral homes in southern

Maine prior to joining the team at Jones, Rich and Barnes in Portland. Since joining the Dignity

Memorial team Brian has worked in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts and he is happy to be

back home in Maine where his heart is. Brian, his wife Darcy, and their son Benjamin enjoy family time fishing, boating, and summer beach days and on occasion, you may see him attempting to play golf. You may have seen Darcy and Ben in the past at several MFDA events. Brian is a past president of the Sanford/Springvale Rotary Club, a former member of the St. Thomas School Board, a parishioner of the St. Therese of Liseux Parish in Sanford, and volunteer for Waban Projects of Southern Maine. Brian is asking for the opportunity to serve the people of Maine and the great funeral directors that work here and promises that if elected his dedication will be to the funeral directors of Maine and the businesses they work in.

Idella Marquis

At Large

Idella Thompson Marquis  A native of Caribou, Idella began working at Mockler Funeral Home in high school, and became a licensed funeral director in 2019. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with minors in Women’s Studies and Pre-Law from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and then attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science where she graduated in the top 5 of her class. While attending mortuary college, Idella gained valuable experience while working for a busy, well-respected funeral home and trade-service in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. Idella has a strong interest in public policy, and previously served as the Maine Policy Scholar for the University of Maine at Presque Isle Campus - conducting a study on Protection from Abuse Orders in Aroostook County. Idella looks forward to working together with legislators and fellow Maine funeral directors while serving on the MFDA board, and serving as a voice for Aroostook County. She is active in several community groups, including as a steering committee member for Momentum Aroostook, the Caribou Regional Technology Center Advisory Board, and serves as a ballot clerk during each election.  Idella lives with her husband Aaron in Caribou – in their free time they enjoy traveling and golfing. 

Tommy Newhall

At Large

Tommy joined the team of caring professionals at Family first Funeral Homes in Winthrop, Augusta, Gardiner, Oakland, Brunswick and Fairfield in March of 2020. He has been a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer since 1993 and has had more than 25 years of funeral service experience. He graduated from New England Institute at Mount Ida College. During the span of Tommy's funeral service career he has managed several funeral homes and owned and operated his own in Massachusetts.

Tommy is passionate about helping and supporting families create a memorable celebration honoring the life of their loved one. He is devoted most to helping all who may need it during this difficult process. In addition to the families he supports, Tommy also holds in high esteem the greater communities in which they come from. Through volunteering and holding days of appreciation he recognizes and honors the work put forth by Police, Fire and Rescue as well as other public safety providers that keep us safe. As well, Tommy holds a special place in his heart for the men and women serving and those that served courageously and faithfully.

Tommy's top priorities are to make families feel well cared for and to make sure all wishes and details for their loved ones are carried through with the utmost dignity and respect. Outside of work, Tommy enjoys participating in various local organizations. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Abnaki Council 334, the Augusta Elks, the Maranacook Lake Association, and the Hillandalers Snowmobile Club. He resides in Winthrop, Maine with his wife Robin and their three daughters, Teagan, Brigid "Bridie" and Rilee Kate. Tommy loves the mountains, lakes, rivers, and the seaside of Maine. Tommy is an avid hiker, kayaker, snowmobiler, and fishermen. He loves the local music scene, to cook and feed everybody and is a loyal fan of the Boston Red Sox.

"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how You made them feel."

- Maya Angelou

Jason Smart

At Large

Jason K. Smart is an Old Town Native and currently resides there with his family. With over 18 years of experience in the funeral profession, his journey has brought him from Old Town to Portland and now to the down east region. He has a high level of professionalism and standards that he adheres to; treating the families he meets and interacting with the level of care and compassion that was once offered to his family during a difficult loss in their lives. Jason become a licensed funeral director in 2019 while working at Conroy-Tully Walker. Following the loss of his son in 2020, Jason and his family relocated back to Old Town to be closer to family, and currently works for Birmingham Funeral Home. Jason, his wife, Ashley; son, Avery; daughter, Maizey and their Dog, Kimber. In his spare time, Jason enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and anything else outdoors.

Erik Tiner

At Large

Erik has been in funeral service since 2003, serving as a family service counselor, funeral director and location manager. He chose the funeral industry because of the lasting impression made on him by other funeral directors who served his family. He wanted to be able to provide the comfort and compassion he experienced during his own loss. He is a graduate of Lewiston High School, the Funeral Institute of the Northeast and Kaplan University. Erik is involved in the community as a member of the Auburn Masonic Lodge, board member and president of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce, former board member of Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth, and has served as a board member of Make-A-Wish Maine. Erik is a proud father with 3 sons serving in the Coast Guard, law enforcement, and construction. He enjoys golfing, camping, and hiking with his wife, their sons, grandson and their twin granddaughters.